Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has pledged to continue supporting beach soccer so that it scales greater heights.
FAM executive member Rashid Ntelera said this on Saturday during the finals of the K5 million FAM Beach Soccer Cup at Sunbird Livingstonia in Salima.
“I was impressed with the talent we witnessed here today. It is testimony that the sport has a bright future. As FAM we will continue to sponsor this tournament. Let also congratulate the winners, I think you deserve it,” said Ntelera who represented FAM president Walter Nyamilandu.
Sunbird Nkopola FC from Mangochi emerged the champions after beating Madala FC from Karonga 7-2.
Scorers for Nkopola were Frazer Makinka Jnr (four goals) Isaac Kajanu claimed a brace whereas Martin Sandram scored a goal while Nyasaland Ikwangwa and John Msoke were on target for Madala.
For their feat, Nkopola received K500 000 and a trophy while Karonga got K250 000. Third-placed Beach Eagles from Chintheche received K150 000 while fourth placed Mangochi Escom took home K100 000.
Player of the tournament was Madala’s Ikwangwa whereas Junior Frazer was the tournament’s top goal scorer. They both took home K20 000 each.
To reach the finals, Nkopola beat Beach Eagles whereas Madala FC beat Mangochi Escom.
Beach Soccer Malawi (BSM) president Kondwani Gondwe assured the teams that beach soccer will continue to grow and that the team national team will again take part in the Cosafa tournament this year.
“My appeal to the corporate world is to invest in the sport through sponsorship of tournaments or teams,” he said.
The Southern Region Beach Soccer League (SRBSL) was represented by Mangochi Escom and Nkopola, while the Centre had FC Malawi and Sunbird Livingstonia. Karonga was represented by Puma and Madala whereas The Chintheche league from Nkhata Bay was represented by Nyerere FC and Beach Eagles.
